MAIN VARIETIES UNDER THE SHD

• Arbequina (photo gallery)

  The Arbequina variety gets its denomination from  the area of origin, located near the spanish  town of Arbeca. The Arbequina Sel. Agromillora and Irta I-18 are both very productive and definitely fit for the super-intensive system. In general, the Arbequina variety presents low vitality, open canopy and average-high foliage density. Equipped with a high level of self-fertility, it enters into an early  production with a high and constant productivity. This variety also presents a medium length’s ripening period whereas the process of maturity of the fruit is quite fast. The yield on the mill is on average level and the oil quality is very good,  mainly due to its excellent balance.

  The Arbequina variety is certainly the most widespread in the super-intensive Spanish plants and also in the rest of the world, and for this reason it can be considered the variety of reference in the new super-intensive cultivations in many countries such as Chile, Morocco, Tunisia, Portugal, France, Italy, USA, Australia, Argentina….

• Arbosana (photo gallery)
  

  Originally from Penedès (Spain), the Arosana variety probably owes its name to the population of the Tarragonaese town of  L’Arboç. It is a variety characterized by a very high and consistant productivity with an early entry into production. It features a compact habit with short internodes and a medium-high  density of the foliage, but it’s mainly due to its contained strength that this variety is  particularly suitable for super-intensive cultivations. It also has a high level of self-fertility. The fruit matures at a later stage with a slow ripening process.

  The oil content is medium, and the product is generally of high organoleptic value. Currently its spread is increasing in Spain as well as in other olive-growing countries. The only limit is a certain sensitivity to colder climates.

• Koroneiki (photo gallery)
  

  The Koroneiki variety originates from Greece and it’s very widespread, especially in the island of Crete.  It presents an average vitality and open canopy, but with a fairly short internode. It has an early ripening process, a high level of self fertility  and a high but not too consistant productivity. Particularly resistant to drought, this variety is instead quite sensitive to cold temperatures. The ripening process can be collocated in between the Arbequina and Arbosana varieties.

  The yield on the mill is quite high and the quality of the oil produced is excellent, very fruity and stable. The Koroneiki variety is still very interesting for the super-intensive system as it holds the 50-60% of the olive growing surface area in its country of origin. Although to a lesser extent than in Arboquina and Arbosana, this variety is spreading in the super-intensive plantations around the world.

 

• Sikitita ® (photo gallery)
  

  The This variety originates from the crossbreeding of Picual and Arbequina through a genetic improvement program conducted by the University of Cordoba (Spain). Specific relevant traits of the Sikitita cultivar include its low vigor and compact, weeping growth habit. The canopy volume of Sikitita plants reaches only 70% of that of Arbequina, the standard cultivar for high-density or super-intensive plantations. Due to its agronomic and cultivation characteristics, Sikitita extends the agronomic and commercial lifespan of super-intensive olive groves, drastically reducing pruning operations and costs. It is suitable for high and ultra-high-density hedge plantations (Smart Tree). Sikitita enters production fairly early (3rd year), matures a week earlier than Arbequina, and exhibits a higher oil yield compared to Arbequina itself. Sikitita is self-pollinating, drought-resistant, and reasonably cold-tolerant. It produces a highly interesting oil with a medium fruity profile and distinctive organoleptic/sensory characteristics. When grown in less favorable climates or harvested slightly earlier, it expresses a well-balanced sensory profile with a pleasant prevalence of green, fresh, and aromatic sensations. Due to these characteristics, Sikitita oil stands out distinctly among other varieties suitable for super-intensive cultivation and excels overall.

   

• Oliana ® (photo gallery)
  

  Resulting from the crossbreeding of Arbequina and Arbosana through a genetic improvement program conducted directly by Agromillora, Oliana is the least vigorous of all known varieties suitable for high and ultra-high-density intensive cultivation and full mechanization (Smart Tree). Oliana is an extremely bushy variety, requiring minimal pruning (checking the base and perimeter of the hedge is sufficient). It rarely produces large-caliber woody branches but instead generates fine branches hosting highly fruitful shoots. This self-pollinating variety completely resolves the issue of excessive plant vigor/growth over the years, especially in favorable soils and climates. Oliana inherited the cluster fruiting pattern from the Arbosana variety and even improved the size of the fruits. Another aspect is its high cold tolerance (inherited from Arbequina). In summary, with Oliana, minimal pruning is required, avoiding the issues of excessive growth that Arbequina can cause in overly favorable soils and climates. At the same time, it is cold-resistant and can be planted where Arbosana cannot thrive.

   

• Lecciana ® (photo gallery)
  

  A variety obtained through collaboration between the University of Bari (Italy) and Agromillora, Lecciana is the result of the crossbreeding of Arbosana and Leccino Toscano/Italiano. This new self-pollinating variety is particularly interesting for the characteristics of the oil it produces, distinctly different from that obtained from other varieties suitable for super-intensive cultivation. The oil stands out primarily for its chemical/organoleptic profile, with its higher polyphenol content providing elevated stability. Agronomically, it is noteworthy for its high cold tolerance and medium to high vigor (between Arbequina and Koroneiki), making it more suitable for medium to low-fertility soils and less favorable climates. The ideal harvest time is one week before Arbequina, which is interesting for plantations with multiple varieties.

   

Tuscan/Italian Varieties

 

• Maurino - Vittoria ® - OLIO I.G.P. TOSCANO (photo gallery)

  A selected clone (patent pending) from the Tuscan/Italian variety Maurino, usable for the creation of High-Density Intensive Plantations for the production of Toscana IGP. (Protected Geographical Indication) Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This particular clonal selection of the Maurino cultivar is undoubtedly one of the most suitable Italian varieties for high-density intensive cultivation, presenting moderate vigor, a compact growth habit with short internodes, and a decidedly dense canopy. The Vittoria variety is very early in production (2-3rd year) with excellent and consistent productivity, medium ripening precocity, and fairly staggered fruit ripening. The variety has a low level of self-fertility but is quite cold-resistant and adapts well to challenging soils. The mill yield is average. The oil produced by the Vittoria variety has an intense and aromatic fruity profile, simultaneously balanced and harmonious. Due to its specific chemical and organoleptic characteristics and the excellent results achieved in prestigious olive oil competitions, the oil from this variety can be considered of outstanding quality and an absolute reference among high-end products.

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